Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Mollie Walker relays word that the Blueshirts’ acquisition of Julien Gauthier marked the beginning of their trade deadline activity (NY Post)
• Denis Gorman notes that the Rangers aren’t feeling the same organizational tension as the trade deadline approaches compared to year’s past (Newsday)
• Vincent Mercogliano lists eight players Jeff Gorton could look to move as the trade deadline approaches (LoHud)
• Andrew Steele-Davis offers his take on the Joey Keane<—>Julien Gauthier swap (Blue Line Station)
• Steve Paulus reminisces on the Blueshirts’ 2016 NHL Draft class (Blue Line Station)
• Paulus also sees the current buyers market as a sign that Chris Kreider will be traded before Monday’s deadline (Blue Line Station)
• Jim Bay believes that the team needs to find a proper exit plan for Henrik Lundqvist’s inevitable departure (Empire Sports Media)
• Michael Obernauer previews the Rangers’ annual team mom’s road trip (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Matt Larkin argues in favor of the Washington Capitals’ decision to ship a 2nd and 3rd round pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Brendan Dillon (The Hockey News)
• Elliotte Friedman authors another edition of 31 Thoughts (Sportsnet)
• James O’Brien recaps the trade activity from the rest of league yesterday, as Dylan DeMelo and Marco Scandella both moved on to greener pastures in exchange for draft picks (NBC Sports)
• Travis Yost pinpoints Florida Panthers’ forward Mike Hoffman as an ideal fit for the Edmonton Oilers (TSN)/